West Vincent rejects stop signs, warning signals

WEST VINCENT — Township supervisors Monday night shelved the installation of a flashing warning signal and two stop signs requested by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

The proposed stop signs would be installed at the intersection of Flowing Springs Road and School House Lane. Warning lights, some temporary and others permanent, would also be installed in the roads leading to the intersection to alert drivers of the new signs.

While residents have expressed concerns since March 2012 about the area’s speed limits and the possibility of an increase in automobile crashes due to the expected increase in drivers should the development be approved by the township, they maintain that the installation of stop signs would likely increase the probability of a serious accident.

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“We’ve had many years of no accidents at that intersection,” said Suzanne Roth, who sits on the township’s environmental advisory committee. “It really troubles me that if we put a four-way stop there, we will have accidents that we’ve never had because you cannot stop coming down that hill (on Flowing Springs Road) in inclement weather. You just can’t. I don’t care how careful you are. Once that ices over, it becomes really precarious. The road tilts off to the right coming downhill, coming towards my house, and anyone who tries to stop is going to go right off the road. That’s the way it’s going to be.”

Township supervisors unanimously rejected the installation, citing the cost to the township for the project as a primary concern.

“I understand (PennDOT’s) reasoning for installing a four-way stop sign, but I don’t understand their reasoning why the township should have to pay $25,000 to install it,” said Board Chairman Kenneth Miller.

Miller said he was aware that PennDOT had spoken with the Birchrun Village LLC, who is currently applying to develop the property adjacent to the intersection, regarding paying for the installation. Should the developer receive approval of the application, the township would be reimbursed for the cost of the installation.

“That seems like putting the township in an impossible position,” said Miller. “So I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to get into the position where it looks like we’re going to approve a land development application so that we can regain $25,000. I can’t buy into that.”

Instead, the supervisors unanimously voted to change the resolution. The township will contact PennDOT with the request that PennDOT re-evaluate its recommendation that two stop signs be placed on at the intersection with warning flashing devices. The resolution also asks PennDOT to provide a memo of alternatives that could be used at the intersection, as well as providing assurance about the effectiveness of the flashing devices. PennDOT will also be informed that the township does not intend to pay for the cost of the installation.

“From what I can see, the only reason to have a four-way stop and-or the flashing lights is to allow the development at the old school house building,” said Roth.

The property proposed for development is adjacent to a school built in 1833 and formerly used as the township’s administrative building. The building is part of the area’s historic village center.